Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Louis Adamic

Given Adamic's political leanings as a teenager in Blato, what part of American democracy is so attractive to him and so lures him to the nation's shores? How/why does his political activism make him feel that American might be an appropriate new home for him? Other than political strife at home and the unrest he experiences, what other elemental life-factors inspire him to recognize that he must move to America?

15 comments:

For Adamic, I think it was the idea that, in America, "one man was a good as the next", and that "one did not have to remain an ordinary workman" that appealed to him. He certainly had political, personal, and possibly economic reasons for moving to America, but I also think it was his sense of adventure that compelled him to move to America in order to explore such an immense and varied land. I believe it was the coalescence of identities he saw upon arriving in America that provided him with a calling. He devoted a great deal of his life to promoting the idea that cultural and ethnic communities should retain their individual identities and not assimilate into some single American culture.

Adamic is very concerned with maintaining his own individualism. In America, he has the power to rise up above the ranks of ordinary men while still possessing some of his native characteristics. He seems restless in his home country, where political and social unrest is common and often very severe. All of the stories he hears regarding America involve someone working hard towards the “American Dream.” I’m sure he saw America as a place where he wouldn’t have to idle in an scholarly institution, but rather a place where he could actively participate in the creation of a better future for himself.

The part of America that spoke to Adamic the most was the chance to succeed no matter what class you were born in to. His political activism made him feel that America would be a good home because police treat activists with force that is appropriate usually and one doesn’t have to hide political beliefs if you’re in the right part of America. He also does not have to be a priest to be educated if he went to America.

Adamic seen that America was the land of opportunites for all races. He wanted to come to America because he dont want to hide what he believes, and he knows that in America he can live his dream without people looking down on him.

I think that Adamic was so attracted to America's democracy because he was used to a system that made his decisions for him. His parents did not allow him to go to America, and instead sent him to become a Priest. He knows his mother does not want this because they are religious; it is explicitly stated that his mother is most likely a Pagan. I believe that Adamic can see that decisions concerning him are made with not a lot to support them; democracy in America must seem attractive to him, especially that he knows that it is a system of everyone having a voice.

Adamic might have viewed America as an escape from his predefined future. His parents are discussing his future and they outline two paths. It was typical for the eldest son to take over the farm. Since Adamic had a thirst for knowledge his parents decided to send him away to become a scholar. That meant that he would become a priest. I believe Adamic saw America as place where there were no definite futures. he had the freedom to make his own way. Even though he heard many more horror stories than success stories he had enough confidence in himself to believe that he would've been a success story.

I think that Adamic liked the idea of independence and opportunity in America, but at the same time I believe that Adamic still wanted individualism. I don't think that Adamic liked people judging others based on physical features such as skin color or gender, but rather their abilities and skills. Adamic also believed that people should have the opportunity to improve their education if they want.

Adamic is attracted to America because in America every single individual has freedom and has a say in what is done in government. An individual cannot be persecuted for the things they say, freedom of speech is a wonderful thing. Freedom of speech is critical to authors. People who wish to write do not want to have someone tell them that they can/cannot write certain things. In America an individual is free to say whatever he or she wants. Adamic wanted that freedom and wanted to be a part of a place where any individual can become rich and make a life for him or her self.

I believe that Adamic feels that he must move to America because of the promise it brings him. He sees the freedom and unbridled opportunities that it offers and decides that he must try to take advantage of it. The "American Dream" therefore resonates very strongly with him and where he sees himself going in life.

America offers an unbridled amount of opportunities therefore pushing Adamic to believe that American is the ultimate place to fulfill his dreams. Furthermore, the dynamic political landscape of America allows innovative and free thinkers to spread their ideas, further attracting Adamic and his societal needs. The assurance of having physical and mental security are the two largest factors in Adamic's pursual of America.

Adamic's dedication to the cause of the worker, and his impression, learned from the Americanci that had gone there before, that America was a land of opportunity; where workers didn't have to remain "ordinary workmen" but could see themselves as adventurers.Other factors that contributed to his drive to come to america included the "jail" that school at the Jesuit institution would be like.

I think what really drew Louis Adamic to America was the thought of individual freedom and unalienable human equality. Adamic was always a an activist and free thinker. I think that his yearning to continue his learning, something he would not be able to do had he stayed, and wanted to peruse the America dream of wealth and prosperity. Adamic most likely saw America as the only beacon of opportunity for a person of his social class.

The reason the image of America is so idealized by Adamic is because America represent the freedoms he is denied in his home country. In Blato, his best friend is killed during a demonstration that would have been allowed in the United States. Also, he sees America as a land of wealth and opportunity. Back home, he is shown nothing other than options that lead to his imprisonment. By going to America he is attempting to free himself and gain a better life and return as a hero in the eyes of his people.